Scholars Boosters

Bulldog Café @ 6pm: Desiree Celaya opened the meeting and asked all new attendees to sign in at the laptop for future communication purposes. She then introduced Darrell Allen from Concerned Citizens for Better Schools to discuss E-SPLOST.

Darrell Allen reported on the history of E-SPLOST and explained that the vote on March 1st would continue the tax that is already in effect through 2017. The new vote concerns the years 2018-2022 and has a 42 million dollar cap. The funds are dispersed based on enrollment and historically the city schools have received 33-34%. This is a sales tax, not an income tax, therefore all those who visit our area contribute too. 98% of counties in Georgia currently have/use E-SPLOST. Dr. Graham added that Scholars school safety will greatly be helped through E-SPLOST funds by adding cameras and lighting. The aging air conditioning system will also be updated throughout the school in addition to upgrades to the multipurpose room.

Desiree Celaya reported on old business and new business:

The new website is up and running.

“A Visit with Santa” was a huge success and made $862. The plan is to make this an annual Scholars Academy Booster Event.

The advisory board of the Scholars Academy Booster Club will meet and decide on hierarchy and specific roles. (January 27 @ 2p in Desiree’s office/room.

The notes/minutes from meetings will be placed in blog format on the website for all Boosters to refer to.

Fundraiser Campaign will begin soon. Donors will be listed on the website and on a framed poster at the office. A mail-out committee spearheaded by Julie von Hellens will begin compiling a list of alumni and business to include in addition to current families. Membership levels are posted on the blog and Desiree is working to create an official membership form as well.

The Advisory Board will need to have a volunteer coordinator on it.

Upcoming Events at the Scholars Academy:

Moonlight & Magnolias (Valentine’s Day Dance) will be Friday 2/12. Middle school is from 6:30-8:30 in the multipurpose room, and then Dr. Graham has approved the high school students will follow after them from 9:00-11:00p. Parents are needed to provide set up, refreshments, clean up, and chaperoning.

Bulldog Dash will be followed by Scholars Classical Fair on 3/5. Second Annual Bulldog Dash starts at 8:30am. Under the leadership of Mr. Gammel, the Latin Club will hold the Classical Fair from 11:30-1:30. $5 per child and the HOSA club from THS will sell lunch as well.

South Pacific will be performed on 3/18 and 3/19. This year, a themed dinner will be offered in our cafeteria prior to the musical.

Desiree closed the meeting and asked that all those interested in sitting on the advisory board stay after to decide on a meeting time.

​Please attend our next meeting on January 21 in the Bulldog Café at 6:00 p.m. to learn more about our membership drive, the success of our first fundraising activity, and how you can get involved with upcoming events.In December, “A Visit with Santa” was a success both financially and creatively. Volunteers worked hard to create a magical and fun morning for local families. Our traditional February middle school dance will have a “Moonlight & Magnolias” theme, and we will need your help to make it a success. Similar to the Sadie Hawkins Dance this past fall, we are extending the invitation to our high school students for the second half of the evening.We are also planning a “Ten Years of Scholars Academy” membership campaign that will not only involve our parents but also alumni and businesses who feel the same passion as our parents about the goals of Scholars Academy. Sponsorship levels are as follows: Corporate Diamond Booster: $2500 - $5000, Platinum Booster: $1000 - $2499, Gold Booster: $500 - $999, Silver Booster: $250 - $499, Bronze Booster: $100 - $249, Red Booster: $25 - $99, Bulldog Booster (student): $5 - $24. We already have a Platinum Booster, so please attend the meeting so that you can be enlightened about the needs and benefits associated with this school support organization.

Mission:

Scholars Boosters aim to contribute with volunteering, funding, and distributing information so that the school’s faculty, academics, extracurricular programs, and social events will grow and thrive for the benefit of all Scholars Academy students and Thomasville City Schools as a whole.